Today's Opinions

This month I am pleased to offer the first of two articles concerning benefits available from the Commonwealth of Virginia for veterans and, in some cases, survivors and dependents, in addition to those provided by the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Eligibility for most state and federal benefits is based on discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable conditions. Benefits for survivors and dependents are based on the veteran’s eligibility.

The numbers of children who have been abused and neglected in Central Virginia and who have been assigned to Court Appointed Special Advocates in the 24th Judicial District (Lynchburg and the counties of Amherst, Bedford, Campbell, and Nelson) have risen steadily over the past two years.

In June, 2007 the Bedford County Supervisors adopted a revised Comprehensive Plan that was developed over a six-year period by the Bedford County Planning Commission and citizens and the county planning staff with the support of professional consultants. The process of creating this plan was a bright spot in our democratic process at the local level.

If President Obama’s critics have any fairness about them whatsoever, even they have to admit that the foreign policy of his administration has largely been a stunning success.

George W. Bush was full of swagger, bluster and a strong pro-war bent. “I’m a war time president,” the “Decider” used to remind us. He could politicize and propagandize the “war on terror,” he just couldn’t get results.

We should soon see the field of candidates for the Republican nomination begin to narrow. Both Chris Christie and Sarah Palin have announced that they won’t seek the nomination and it’s too late for anybody else to toss his hat in the ring and still get on the ballot in all states.

With unemployment remaining unacceptably high across the 5th District and 14 million Americans without a job, the House has been working since the start of the 112th Congress to pass legislation that would remove the government as a roadblock to job creation and reverse the job-destroying policies of the past two and a half years.

The most recent unemployment numbers were released last week. Unfortunately they confirmed what most Americans already know: we continue to face economic uncertainty. For September the national unemployment rate stayed at 9.1%, the same rate as August and the second highest monthly level so far this year. As our economy remains sluggish, people fear losing their jobs and their homes and they are struggling to provide for their families.